Numbness, tingling, or pain in your hand and wrist may be a sign that you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome. The highly trained hand and wrist specialists at Texas Orthopaedic Associates offer advanced treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome, including endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery, at their locations in Dallas, Plano, Weatherford, Keller, and Fort Worth, Texas. If you suspect you may have carpal tunnel syndrome, don’t hesitate to call or book an appointment online today.
CARPAL TUNNEL SURGERY Q&A
What is carpal tunnel syndrome?
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in your wrist formed by bones at the bottom and the transverse carpal ligament on the top. Your median nerve and tendons that grant movement to your fingers run through this passageway.
Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the tissues within the tunnel become swollen and put pressure on the median nerve. This leads to symptoms such as:
- Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers
- Pain or tingling that may radiate up our arm toward the shoulder
- Weakness in the hand and tendency to drop things
- Painful shocklike sensations in the hand
Most of the time, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms develop slowly and grow progressively worse. Without treatment, this condition can lead to permanent nerve damage.
Early diagnosis and treatment at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, greatly improves your chances of avoiding carpal tunnel syndrome surgery. Schedule an appointment right away if you experience symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is the process for diagnosing and treating carpal tunnel syndrome?
First, your hand and wrist specialist at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, performs a physical exam and reviews your medical history. They may also take diagnostic tests, such as:
- Nerve conduction study
- Electromyogram (EMG)
- Ultrasound
After they diagnose your carpal tunnel syndrome, your physician recommends the best course of treatment for your particular needs. The team at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, always begins with the most conservative treatment possible.
Nonsurgical treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Physical therapy
- Wrist splints
- Therapeutic steroid injections
If your condition is severe or doesn’t improve with treatment, they may recommend carpal tunnel release surgery to relieve pressure on your median nerve.
What should I expect from endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery?
The expert surgeons at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, specialize in treating carpal tunnel syndrome. They offer the most advanced techniques, including minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery.
This procedure is similar to open surgery for carpal tunnel release, but requires a much smaller incision. Your surgeon at Texas Orthopaedic Associates, uses an endoscope, which is a long, thin instrument with a camera at the end.
The endoscope allows your surgeon to divide the ligament on top of your carpal tunnel with miniature tools. This relieves pressure on the median nerve without the need for a large incision.
To learn more about your options for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment, call Texas Orthopaedic Associates, or book an appointment online today.